20,000 TONS OF BEEF

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28973, 14 August 1959, Page 10

20,000 TONS OF BEEF

Deficit In Japan’s Supplies

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 13.

Mr J. S. Scott. New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Tokyo said today that there was a market for 20.000 tons of beef a year in Japan. Meat consumption had doubled since the war and the Japanese were keen to have an assured supply of beef.

Mr Scott told the Wellington branch of the Institute of Public Administration that Japan’s great industrial progress had been remarkable. The standard of living of the people, which naturally, had an effect on trade with New Zealand, was steadily improving. Forty per cent, of the Japanese lived on farms and this group had a strong interest in the government of the country. Unemployment was not greatly talked about, but it was estimated that between 600.000 and 700.000 were unemployed. Mr Scott pointed out that between 50 and 60 per cent, of Japan’s production came from small and medium enterprises. A recent survey showed that 52 per cent, of the workers in 200.000 small enterprises received less than £6 a month, which meant a severe limit to purchasing power.

The chief commodities which New Zealand sold to Japan had not shown violent fluctuation. In 1957, Japan had taken 26,000 bales of New Zealand wool. Last year, the quantity had been 40.000 bales and it was hoped that this year the figure would reach 50,000.

When he had gone to Japan. Mr Scott said he thought the bulk of the wool imported would be processed and then reexported. However, he found that most of the woollens were retained in Japan.